Summary

  • Goldson forces in from close range

  • Lafferty on from bench for second debut

  • Suduva 1-1 Celtic

  • Ntcham opens scoring for Celtic; unmarked Verbickas heads equaliser

  • Get involved #bbcsportscot

  1. 'Not the best start' for Brownpublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva 1-1 Celtic

    Scott McDonald
    Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    I don't think it's been the best start to the season for Scott Brown. We haven't seen the high energy levels from the Scott Brown we know

  2. Postpublished at 24mins

    Sudova 1-1 Celtic

    Celtic are controlling possession once again and look to have recovered their composure after the equaliser.

    James Forrest's cross from the bye-line picks up Mikey Johnston unmarked 12 yards from goal, but the young forward's header is straight at goalkeeper Ivan Kardum.

  3. GREAT SAVE!published at 18mins

    Suduva 1-1 Celtic

    Celtic go close to restoring the lead as Callum McGregor finds James Forrest with a cut-back from the bye-line.

    The Scotland winger's low first-time drive looks to be heading for the corner of the net, but Croat goalkeeper Ivan Kardum reaches out a long arm to turn it wide.

  4. Defence lets Celtic downpublished at 18:16 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva 1-1 Celtic

    Chris McLaughlin
    BBC Sport Scotland in Marijampole

    Celtic had been cruising, but once again it’s a goal conceded with fingers being pointed at the centre of defence. Another avoidable goal slips in.

  5. Suduva's 'easy goal'published at 18:14 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva 1-1 Celtic

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    That is the easiest goal a team can score against Celtic. They just out it in there and nobody was attacking the ball. Craig Gordon comes for it in the end because he had to, but he was too late. The centre-halves have to go and head that ball. Everyone is just watching the play. It is really, really poor

  6. goal

    GOAL Suduva 1-1 Celticpublished at 12mins

    Ovidijus Verbickas

    Suduva equalise with their first attack.

    Andro Svrljuga's clever footwork forces a foul from Kieran Tierney and, when Vaidas Slavickas curls his free-kick to the back post, Ovidijus Verbickas is unmarked as he heads home from 10 yards.

    Costa Rica international Cristian Gamboa was the star man against Partick Thistle at the weekend, but the right-back looked to be sleeping there.

  7. Celtic dominate possessionpublished at 10mins

    Sudova 0-1 Celtic

    You would imagine Celtic were the home team looking at the balance of play.

    Not even conceding that early goal has shaken Suduva out of what looks likely to be a rearguard operation while looking to threaten on the break.

  8. Johnston's 'lovely ball'published at 18:04 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva 0-1 Celtic

    Scott McDonald
    Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    It's a perfect start and great play from Mikey Johnston. One-on-one out on the left, cuts back inside and it is a lovely ball for Ntcham

  9. goal

    GOAL Suduva 0-1 Celticpublished at 2mins

    Olivier Ntcham

    What a start for Celtic - and what a start for Mikey Johnston.

    The 19-year-old beats his marker wide on the Celtic left and his inswinging cross finds Olivier Ntcham ghosting in unmarked eight yards from goal and the French midfielder heads past the exposed goalkeeper for his third goal of the season.

    Olivier Ntcham celebrates scoring for CelticImage source, Reuters
  10. KICK-OFFpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva 0-0 Celtic

    Chris McLaughlin
    BBC Sport Scotland in Marijampole

    A week is a long time in football. From the Olympic Stadium in Athens and the lure of Champions League football, to the little Arvi Stadium in southern Lithuania and Europa League qualifying. Celtic have not had long to feel sorry for themselves ahead of this match against the Lithuanian champions. The home side fancy their chances. Anything other than progression is unthinkable for the visitors. It’s warm, sunny and not very noisy here in Marijampole at kick-off.

    Arvi Football ArenaImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    The game doesn't seem to have captured the imagination of the home fans

  11. Bright outlook for Celticpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    The teams are on the pitch, with Celtic in a blinding luminous green strip...

  12. Johnston 'can surprise Suduva'published at 17:56 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says 19-year-old Mikey Johnston can surprise Suduva tonight with his "pace and skill".

    "Mikey has got better and better as the pre-season has gone on and there is a surprise element in that the opponents won't know so much about him," Rodgers tells BBC Scotland.

    "He may not last the whole game, but with his pace and skill, he can create something for you. As a team, we need that. He can do very well for us.

    "Our focus and concentration is important. If we do that, we know we have the quality.

    "The Europa League is still a great competition and we want to go as far as we possibly can."

    Celtic's Mikey Johnston and manager Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Manager Brendan Rodgers talks to Mikey Johnston before kick-off

  13. Suduva strong at homepublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Suduva have come a long way since Celtic, with Henrik Larsson scoring a hat-trick, thrashed the Lithuanians 8-1 at Celtic Park in the Uefa Cup in 1982 before the Scots also won 2-0 away from home.

    The reigning champions lead the Lithuanian First Division by five points from Zalgiris Vilnius after 20 games.

    They have only lost two of their last 10 home games and one of them came in the second leg of their Champions League's second qualifying round tie against Red Star Belgrade.

    Having been beaten 3-0 in Serbia, Suduva also lost 2-0 on their own patch.

    Red Star have, though, shown their quality, subsequently defeated Spartak Trnava, face Red Bull Salzburg in the play-off round and sit 0-0 as they travel to Austria for next week's second leg.

    Indeed, Suduva had earlier provided a bit of a surprise, knocking APOEL Nicosia out in the first qualifying round.

  14. Suduva coach has 'self-belief'published at 17:49 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Sudova coach Vladimir Cheburin says his side are determined to go one better than last season - when they lost to Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria.

    "This is a big responsibility for the club and players," he said.

    "Like last year, people will again say we have no chance - and we know the quality of opponents we face.

    "Glasgow Celtic are a good, balanced, fast, powerful team. They quickly move from defence to attack. They are a top club.

    "But we have self-belief and we will hope to put on a good performance, delight the fans and achieve a positive result."

  15. 'Great opportunity for Johnston'published at 17:45 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Scott McDonald
    Former Celtic striker on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    It is a great opportunity for Mikey Johnston. I am looking forward to seeing more of him. There is a lot of excitement around him and there are rumours about him possibly going out on loan to get more experience, But it shows the belief and confidence Brendan Rodgers has in him to put him in to play on a big occasion like tonight

  16. Sudova signing Gotala missingpublished at 17:44 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Suduva this week signed Croat striker Sandro Gotala from Belarussian Premier League club Dinamo Brest, with the 26-year-old scoring as his side beat Borisov BATE in both last season's domestic cup final and the Super Cup.

    He arrived too early to feature in the first leg, but he should be available for the return game in Glasgow.

  17. Boyata saga rumbles onpublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Celtic's preparations have again been overshadowed by the continuing uncertainty over Dedryck Boyata's future with the Scottish champions.

    The centre-half has yet to return to action since being given time to recover from helping Belgium to the World Cup semi-finals, since when Celtic rejected a transfer bid from Fulham for his services.

    But he missed last week's Champions League qualifying defeat by AEK Athens in controversial circumstances - claiming he was not 100% recovered from injury but with manager Brendan Rodgers insisting he was fit.

    Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata in trainingImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Dedryck Boyata is back training with Celtic but still unavailable

    This time, Rodgers has indicated that Boyata is still struggling with a back issue - and Celtic have meanwhile failed in a transfer bid of their own for Aberdeen centre-half Scott McKenna as a possible replacement.

    Boyata's absence, along with record summer signing Odsonne Edouard, certainly contributed to the defeat in Greece - and the French striker is also missing again tonight.

  18. Celtic woundedpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    Quote Message

    Being knocked out of the Champions League will have been like a kick to the solar plexus. But they can't feel sorry for themselves and they will be taking this seriously

  19. Celtic change six but Johnston startspublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Teenage forward Mikey Johnson makes his first European start for Celtic, who make six changes elsewhere from the side that won 3-1 at Partick Thistle in the League Cup.

    Craig Gordon takes over from Scott Bain in goal, Jozo Simunovic comes in at centre-back for the injured Jack Hendry, while Kieran Tierney returns at left-back for Emilio Izaguirre.

    But Cristian Gamboa retains his place at right-back, with Mikael Lustig on the bench.

    Callum McGregor comes into midfield for Tom Rogic, James Forrest takes over from Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele replaces Leigh Griffiths up front, with Odsonne Edouard still not ready to return.

    Bain, Izaguirre, Rogic, Sinclair and Griffiths are all among the substitutes.

    Mikey Johnston in action for CelticImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Mikey Johnston, 19, has featured in three games for Celtic this season

  20. LINE-UPS from ARVI Football Arenapublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 23 August 2018

    Suduva v Celtic (18:00)

    Suduva: Kardum, Svrljuga, Gajduchik, Jankauskas, Leimonas, Slavickas, Finkler, Cadjenovic, Verbickas, Cicilia, Vezevicius.

    Substitutes: Aleksandrov-Ridley, Cinikas, Kasparavicius, Zivanovic, Matulevicius, Acevedo, Offenbacher.

    Celtic: Gordon, Gamboa, Simunovic, Ajer, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Forrest, McGregor, Johnston, Dembele.

    Substitutes: Bain, Izaguirre, Lustig, Kouassi, Griffiths, Rogic, Sinclair.

    Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia)